Remember the good ol’ days when you would hop, skip and jump to the finish line at recess? Or rushed out of the classroom to battle your friends at four square at lunch? Of course, you wouldn’t have thought about it then, but those games were made possible because of playground line marking.
Now you’re working in a school or local government, line marking is on your radar. Perhaps the basketball court lines are fading, and students are fighting over whether the ball was out of bounds or new concrete is ready for its line marking debut. Whatever your interest, we’re glad you’re researching it because line marking is important for every school.
What is playground line marking?
First, what exactly is playground line marking or schoolyard stencilling? Similarly to car park line marking or warehouse line marking, playground line marking is the process of painting stencils, markings or symbols on concrete, bitumen or brick to create boundaries in games and sporting activities. Line marking can be as simple as clean, white lines or feature vibrant colours and shapes to engage the little ones.
Popular playground line marking include
- Playground boundaries
- Basketball
- Netball
- Foursquare or handball
- Hopscotch
- Snakes & Ladders
- Mazes
- Word games
5 reasons playground line marking is important
1. Ignites learning experiences
Play is essential to child development because it facilitates learning. It aids in developing problem-solving skills, cognitive processing and memory, so creating as many opportunities for children to play is essential, especially at school. If spaces aren’t set up for play, e.g. concrete without schoolyard line paintings, students won’t play that game of hopscotch or imaginative game that will benefit their learning.
2. Encourages physical exercise
We’ve all heard the reports about the obesity rates rising in children, and inactivity is said to be one of the key factors. Technology has meant children spend more time indoors than ever before, with their eyes fixed on the screen, remaining sedentary. However, sports games like basketball, netball, tennis and handball, games made possible because of playground line markings, get kids outside and moving and keep them fit and healthy.
3. Improve outdoor facilities
Are you invested in your school’s reputation? Tired old bitumen with cracked line markings from days gone by doesn’t give the greatest impression! You may not have the budget to do much about the greying bitumen, but a fresh coat of line marking is doable. Schoolyard stencilling will lift the look of your school and show that maintaining facilities is a priority.
4. Activate forgotten spaces
If you’re managing a property, you want space to be utilised. You also need to keep crowd control in mind, with students evenly distributed in the playground. If you’ve got a patch of bitumen in the corner of the school that students avoid, you can create a space for sports games to encourage students to utilise it.
5. Keep children safe
Safety is, of course, the highest priority in schoolyards. With little kids, especially, keeping them in eyesight is easier when you have clearly defined boundaries where they need to remain. Line markings define areas in the playground or create boundaries for separation between grades.
How to choose quality line markers
How do you choose a line marking or schoolyard stencilling company? Line marking specialists will adequately plan and design your playground line marking, so it’s 100% accurate. They will also use special long-lasting line marking paint so all that foot traffic won’t make a dent in the sparkling white lines!
At Kleenit, our line markers use airless spraying technology, which applies the paint more consistently and accurately. Our schoolyard stencilling is long-lasting and will stay bright for years to come.
Is it time to invest in playground line marking services? Get a free quote today.